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Press
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Hospitality Brands to Operate Wine Club for Carnival Cruise Lines
FORT LAUDERDALE, January 10, 2005. Hospitality Brands, Inc., a leading provider of brand extensions for cruise lines, hotels and airlines, has been selected by Carnival Cruise Lines to administer the first wine club for cruise passengers. Under the terms of the licensing agreement, Hospitality Brands will operate and market the club, in conjunction with Carnival. Hospitality Brands and Carnival Cruise Lines worked together to develop the Presidential Wine Club, which was launched during the inaugural voyage of the new Carnival Valor in December. Katie Couric, the host of NBC's Today Show and the Godmother of the ship, was initiated as its first member.
Carnival Cruise Lines is the first cruise company to offer its guests a wine club. In addition to providing its members with two bottles of premium wine from around the world each month, the Presidential Wine Club will also offer its members a wide array of additional services, including opportunities to purchase hard-to-find wine in its members-only wine store, discounts on accessories and gifts, and an invitation to participate in the annual Presidential Wine Club cruise aboard a Carnival ship. Members can access these services at www.presidentialwineclub.com, or by toll-free telephone at 888-292.2582.
The club places a heavy emphasis on education and information. Carnival's President, Bob Dickinson, who will personally select the wines offered each month, is widely recognized for his expertise and passion for wine. From
the club's inception he has insisted that it provide real opportunities for members to increase their knowledge and understanding of wine. He will assist in that effort with a monthly column, "Ask Bob", in which he will answer questions from members about wine. Over time, the club's website will become the "go to" source for members seeking information about everything from food and wine pairing to the health benefits of their new hobby.
"When Carnival was launched in the early 1970s, most people thought cruising was only for the rich," notes David Gould, Executive Vice President of Hospitality Brands. "The wine industry suffers from the same perception today. With this club, Carnival will make wine accessible and affordable for a whole new audience, just as it did for cruises."
"Fine dining has always been associated with the cruising experience," notes Edie Bornstein, Vice President of Business Development for Carnival. "And our shipboard wine cellars are stocked with fine wines from around the world to complement our cuisine. The Presidential Wine Club will allow our guests to relive their Carnival experience at home."
The Presidential Wine Club is very affordable and easy to join. Members pay $39.99 per month, plus $9.99 shipping, and there are no contracts to sign. Prospective members may join on the website or by calling the club's toll-free telephone number.
About Carnival
Carnival Cruise Lines is the largest and most popular cruise line in the world, with a fleet of 20 "Fun Ships" operating voyages ranging from three to 16 days in length to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New England and Europe. The line currently has two new 110,000-ton SuperLiners -- Carnival Liberty and Carnival Freedom -- with a collective estimated value of $1 billion set to debut between now and February 2007. For additional information and reservations, contact any local travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit www.carnival.com.
About Hospitality Brands
Hospitality Brands, a division of Hospitality Brands Inc., develops and implements brand extension strategies for cruise lines and hospitality companies. Brand extension programs include proprietary wine, co-branded beds (in conjunction with Sealy, Inc.) and online stores. Hospitality Brands provides its partners with turn-key services, including marketing, Internet and toll-free telephone ordering, warehousing, shipping and customer service. Hospitality Brands was founded by travel industry veterans and brings a unique customer service focus to its programs, strengthening the relationship between its partners and their guests while generating substantial incremental revenues.
For more information, contact David Gould at 954.421.0525 or at davidg@hospitalitybrands.com
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